#calling it her villain arc

[valictini]

Pomme <3 the babiest egg of the server

[bitchfitch]

some that demon thing secondary characters

Crassipes Meleagris: General in the Cristatus' army. Technically the record holder for the person to join the army at the youngest age. She was still a toddler when her village was raided and her birth parents killed. She was found after the fact while the raiding soldiers were looting what was left, and taken in by the collective unit. No one individual was her guardian, instead the unit as a whole raised her to be the finest warrior amongst them. As an adult she moved through the ranks quickly via a combination of raw skill and the ruthless willingness to kill anyone whose position she was gunning for.

Olor Cygnus: A small village's doctor turned leader. Many of the demons from her village were slaughtered during the beginning of the war. They had posed too much of a threat to the new rulling powers and needed dealt with. She was spared as the warlord leading the invasion deemed her meek but intelligent and respected enough to be saddled with the duty of leading her devastated community. Unlike most of the other minor lords, she is neither a politician nor a warrior, so the wanton violence and pointless macho postering from every one of her new "colleagues" has been difficult to stomach.

Gigas Coua: A Minor Lord from low places. Former prostitute turned Madame after the last owner of their brothel was found washed up on the shore of their local river. They delighted in accepting the title of Minor Lord, as Finally they would have the respect they've been denied since they were orphaned by a now forgotten battle. they are eager and willing to do whatever it takes to keep the favor of those above them as they know all too well how quickly you can lose the entire game if the dealer has a bone to pick with you.

[dandylion-s]

actually i don't think we should forgive leigh bardugo for calling the main villain in her book "Darkling" because it somehow calls to mind tiktok cringe despite having been printed years before the app was spawned.

[smile-files]

some great bluish bakeoff stuff!

nickel later apologizes this episode; it's prompted by balloon's confrontation, but clearly nickel was in the mindset to apologize. the fact that he didn't raise the issue himself shows how he's still really afraid of how balloon would react. at the same time, though, he's acknowledging that "standing up for what [is] right" is important and good, even if it doesn't necessarily have the most beneficial outcome; notice how this not only shows how he accepts and understands balloon's anger towards him over the past few episodes (which had the consequence of losing them the challenge and getting bot eliminated), but also suitcase's anger towards him in the latter half of ii2 (which had the consequence of destroying their alliance).

in this episode, blueberry is assuming a role that has previously been taken by nickel and, more recently, silver spoon: he has placed himself at the top of the pecking order, calling all the shots, forcing everyone to roll with his punches. now everyone's in the same position balloon has been for a lot of his time in ii. silver, in throwing the chariot (:nerd emoji: actually a litter, they use the wrong word) at blueberry, is taking a stand against him -- announcing his frustration from being treated poorly.

for the longest time, balloon had "stay[ed] away from the thorns": beating around the bush, not bringing up the hard stuff, so he could maintain his positive relationship with nickel (and by extension his sense of having actually changed, which is linked with that that relationship represents) and not face his inevitable aggressive snap-back. but, though these proverbial thorns are painful, touching them helps him actually move ahead of all of that discomfort. balloon took a stand against nickel recently, which he was justified in doing, expressing his anger at nickel for both what he did and his denial of doing it -- and nickel harshly bit back about what balloon had done a while ago. balloon touched the thorn, and got the pain.

now, when nickel is yet again dancing around the problem, balloon's frustration returns. and, as silver took a stand against blueberry (which nickel supported), balloon channels his frustration and takes his own stand: technically also against blueberry, in trying to get himself and the others to the challenge before blueberry (thereby denying the domination he has imposed), but the drive itself came from nickel. he knows touching the thorns is painful, but that it's important and good. he should stand up for himself, and he does. he literally pokes himself with a thorn, and that literally sends him and the others ahead.

for the sake of this analogy/symbolic framework, it's worth noting how they are pushed forward because of the thorn, but there's still baggage: they fly through the desert only to crash, losing all of their ingredients. at this point, though, balloon's not going to let the pain of the thorn prevent him from touching it. balloon will keep standing up for himself, even if he keeps facing setbacks and pushbacks, because he knows what he deserves.

you can imagine that when balloon confronted nickel in this episode, he was expecting the same old same old: he'd say what he's mad about, and nickel would shut him down. but he doesn't. nickel listens to him. nickel lets balloon be angry at him, lets himself face the guilt he needs to feel. balloon is able to be mad at nickel without their relationship automatically going up in flames like before. and balloon is shocked! but will he forgive nickel? what'll he say? ...well, they're taken by tyler bombard before balloon could say anything...

for all this talk of the thorn, where's the blossom? well, here it is. thematic parallels indeed! recall how balloon misunderstanding "flour" as "flower" contributed to the grand slams losing the cooking challenge in ii2, which likely added fuel to the fire of nickel's hatred towards him -- now that same flower and that same misunderstanding is a representation of their friendship: it is what remains after the pain of the thorn. balloon finding value in this meager flower and presenting it to mephone at all (thereby insisting that it has value) is what wins them all the challenge. the flower and its beauty are not just a reward for the pain of the thorn, but a product of that pain.

balloon still hasn't responded to nickel's apology, because he hasn't had the chance to... but in disputing tyler's happiness about blueberry's death, balloon both recognizes his own attempt to change as well as nickel's: attempting that change is also a thorn, a very painful one (it literally killed blueberry), and both nickel and balloon have recognized the changes the other has tried to make and has succeeded in making. nickel is very reassured by this.

and as a final flower, a final reward for balloon's persistence in standing up for himself and what he believes in, balloon is chosen as the sole recipient of the immunity cookie -- silver spoon, someone with both a history of selfishness and a history of putting others below him, is the one to make this decision. balloon is finally being recognized, genuinely, for the changes he's made.

notably, balloon never accepts nickel's apology: no, he accepts that nickel is trying to make up for what he did. and, knowing from personal experience how hard it is to make that change and be acknowledged for making it, balloon is there to support him through it, and help him realize that he can be better -- and balloon is still on that "trek" himself, as we know balloon still has a lot of flaws to work through. they both know they have to touch the thorn, but they're all the more motivated to do so because they have a beautiful flower as well:

their genuine friendship.

...

balloon continues to be very charitable with blueberry, even as blueberry is critical of himself. nickel is also charitable -- telling blueberry to "just be nicer to people" implies that he believes that such a change is possible -- though of course he expresses this in his typical snarky way.

blueberry, though, doesn't believe that he can change, just like nickel used to. no matter how much balloon and nickel believe in him, he himself has to realize he has the capacity to improve before he can actually do it.

[sillyfudgemonkeys]

Omg...... Like Mother, Like Daughter is doomed Yuri (half yuri? One sided yuri?). TT0TT Sol doesn't feel the same way I'm pretty sure (sadly), but Som is DEF down bad. TT0TT And Som's not exactly the most mentally stable jakfjdksalfj (I think she has a bit of a "Sol's my pet" vibe going on as well. Som means well but she is NOT healthy either jfakslfj oh this is just going to be a fucking wreck I'm ready let's GO!)

(spoilers under cut, also under cut cause length and pictures)

Like she saw the boy Sol is hanging out with and was just ">:("

*sobbing* She is SO DONE when she finds out they are dating TT0TT

*sobs* ahhhh! klasjfdk OhmyGOAD SHE is tREMBLING as Sol tells her how she got with the guy TT0TT

She is literally SULLEN that Sol and guy have been dating FOR A MONTH! she looks os SICK TT0TT

My poor girl is literally doing the Arthur fist clench with her fist TT0TT

Som! Som! Girlie! I don't think this is just a friendship for you anymore.

LKFJDASKLFJKLAJFKL WAIT

"Anyone can see at first glance that he's good for nothing. But how does she not see that?"

OHHHHH MY GOD SHE'S LIEK 'HE SMELLY. HE STANK. HE POOR. HE BROKE. HE TOO NORMAL FOR HER." GURL! GET OFF THE FLOOOOOR!

"To be honest, I wish they'd break up" NO YOU DON'T SAY???? nEVER WOULD'VE GUESS!

Oh I was just here for the matricide but I've been blessed with more angst! Let's goooooo!!!!!!!!!

[airbenderedacted]

IF I WERE WOY CREW I WOULD ALSO FIGHT FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING THE LESBIAN FLAG SOMEWHERE ON OR NEAR DOMINATOR IN JUST ONE WHOLE SCENE IN THE SHOW  SEND TWEET

[cureblogging]

Gonna say something potentially controversial:

I think Heartcatch suffers from the Up phenomenon in that people remember it as an excellent, if not flawless masterpiece when it actually has One (1) excellent, if not flawless moment in the beginning and is otherwise nothing special.

[thekimspoblog]

You know, Kim lied to her own clients to manipulate them into taking plea deals.

That's a genuinely evil thing she did, and yet nobody talks about it.

God the neoliberalism of this fandom is cringe.

[mobofficial]

how it feels liking female characters out here (hell) <<< saw a Bad post about elendira

[lohstandfound]

thinking about my graphic novel series again. i have way too many thoughts about it

[themyscirah]

Started thinking about the Amanda Waller + Ben Turner relationship again.... fuck, I'm gonna need a minute

[dinodogs]

Me and my friends got into a discussion abt Roman Holiday so I finalized the designs I've had in my head for a little while. Not super happy with how Neo turned out but its okay shes a rainwing she can change easily lol.

[ninjago-neo]

Midori: Origins of the Ouroboros

Uuuuuuh fhdgsgsh i finished my little lore document for what happened to Midori and how her story continues after. I dont have everything 100% planned out yet, but hopefully the read is good.

To Midori. I hope you will forgive me, one day. For everything.

Back during the time of the FSM, there was a time where the serpentine had not been created, but the Overlord had been defeated. Before his destruction, he swore that the actions of the FSM will only lead to his continued suffering. 

The FSM became known for being the creator of Ninjago and its defender, and as towns and civilizations grew, they worshiped and praised the one who made it possible. Whether he intended to or not, he became a figurehead in some. Despite this, he never viewed himself as a deity or royalty, and found himself alone despite being among people.

The oni believed he was weak. The dragons believed he was an abomination. Here, he was a deity. No matter the label given to him, it was hard to believe he even had a place here. That he truly belonged and felt like a person.

That is, until he met Midori. 

She was considered, by all means, unimportant. Had a normal upbringing, grew up to own a tea shop and grew her own teas. In her village it was customary for farmers to pay a tribute in hopes of the FSM controlling the weather. She thought it ridiculous, as he never seemed to do so, and confronted him on extorting the locals. In reality, the FSM had never told anyone that he could, and actually didn’t want any offerings or tributes of any sort, but most ignored him. 

Both were shocked at meeting each other. Midori couldn’t believe someone of such great power could be so humble, and the FSM was surprised she wasn’t afraid to rebuke him and treat him as a person. 

Their meeting should have ended there, but the FSM continued to think about her, and this visited her in her shop in secret to avoid the attention of other villagers. She taught him how to work alongside her in the shop, and as the two began to know each other, they fell in love. Eventually, they decided their relationship would be a secret no longer, as Midori was announced to be the FSM’s wife. Despite the sudden change of status and the regalities bestowed upon her for marrying Ninjago’s creator, she was still the same woman he fell in love with.

Midori was headstrong, honest, hardworking and brazen. What was in her mind she would say no matter with who, and above all else supported the FSM and reminded him to stand up for himself if he did not wish to be treated as a god. 

Eventually however, the two sought to have children in peace, and journeyed away from their past home. 

As Midori finally gave birth, the two eventually began to interact with civilization a bit more, and for a brief moment, the family was content with their lives, being welcomed by the world, raising two infant children, and with each other. Until one day, Midori wandered far into a nearby forest in search of rare plants/herbs she believed she could find there. During her exploration, she encountered a dark substance nestled into a rock. She did not realized it was a piece of the Overlord’s own body, and as she inspected it, it suddenly became absorbed in her body, and she collapsed. When the FSM finally found her, it was too late. She grew up with a terrible illness no medicine could cure, and he realized she was overtaken by the ancient evil power of his enemy. Unable to fully handle the power of even a sliver of the Overlord’s energy, he knew her body and spirit would undergo a transformation to adapt to it. Despite all of this, he promised his wife a cure, and that he would never leave her side. Midori was hidden in the upper floor of their house, for fear of the dark power hurting their own children, and the FSM’s time was divided by helping Ninjago, raising Wu and Garmadon on his own, keeping Midori company, and looking for answers. But he could not find any, as the Overlord’s power was more potent than anything in Ninjago, and came from a world he could not bring himself to go back to. As he grew more desperate for a solution, he visited Midori less and less, and her condition grew worse. The Overlord’s power evolved to become her own, and Midori became repulsed and horrified as her lower torso grew into a sepert-like tail, and magical venom coursed into her veins. She despised her situation, and despite the FSM’s warning, occasionally left her room to explore and traverse through town hidden away from everyone. But she wasn’t perfect, and eventually the villagers told the FSM of a terrible monster they saw in the woods. The two grew frustrated with each other, and the FSM still had no way of knowing how to cure his wife. He decided to go to the Cloud Kingdom in search of answers. Unfortunately, the prophecy relayed by the Cloud Kingdom could not soothe the FSM’s mind. Instead of Midori being cured, it was predicted that her curse would overtake her and doom their entire family, and future generations, into misery. It was suggested to the FSM that he destroy her and the curse that lives within her, but he vehemently refused, distraught over the woman he loved possibly hurting their sons. Still unable to confront the powers of the Overlord, he realized that he could buy himself and his wife more time to avoid this destiny if she was unable to reach the children if she became fully corrupted. However, he was unable to bring up this plan to her as she became more out of control and furious with him over a lack of a cure. In her mind, she feared he was abandoning him, leaving her to suffer in silence and isolation while he pretended everything was normal. She hadnt even been able to see her kids, and the two were at a standstill. Fearing that the time was near, and having no solutions, the FSM decided to seal her away while she had been sleeping. Unfortunately, she had woken up to see him and assumed he was going to kill her. The two fought, and Midori managed to escape, but not before biting the FSM. Unknowingly, their powers converged, and Midori discovered she had the power to create life, while the FSM felt the Overlord’s power within him, but in a sedentary state. It was then that he realized his powers were slowly being drained for him, as well as his immortality. It was then that a secret battle waged between the FSM and Midori. She created the Serpentine to serve as mindless minions to destroy the world the FSM created, only for him to intervene and prevent disaster, as she once again fled. In the aftermath, he did not want to destroy Midori’s creations, as he still felt fondness for his wife and did not want to destroy these living beings. He instead lied to them that he was their creator, in hopes they’d be unshackled by their shallow purpose in life to destroy, and could live in harmony in this world. However, he could not stop the fighting between Serpentine and Human, and when they sepeparated, could only hope keeping to themselves would still offer some sort of peace. However, he would not live long enough to see that peace. He never told his sons about his hidden ailment, as he fought to keep it at bay and not show that his powers were being drained from him. He still managed to live for hundreds of years, but as his life started to fade, and unable to find Midori, he sought refuge in once again, another prophecy. And he learned that his power would not be fully destroyed, but inherited in it’s full potential by someone. That person would have the key to either repairing the broken bonds of the world, or destroying them entirely. Eventually, he gave in to his illness, and passed away. He did not let them see it, but he was terrified of the world he was leaving to his sons and his creations. How his mistakes and decisions led to possible endless conflicts, and how he yearned for his wife to return somehow, but afraid of what she would do to their family.  Midori, after her failed attempt to weaponize the Serpentine, still interfered in their lives, creating the Great Devourer, sending false prophecies and inciting further conflict in the shadows. She had to wait not just until her husband's passing, but also observe her family and Ninjago to wait for the perfect opportunity to strike. While the FSM believed in destiny, she believed the only predetermined thing was cycles; that everything was bound to repeat itself. That  the misery she had undergone would be paid tenfold, that the conflicts of her and her beloved would echo in the conflict between human and serpentine, and break the bonds their family had so briefly. So she had no qualms with creating the snake that would eventually attack her own son, or watching and the Green Ninja, the inheritor of the combined powers of the FSM, suffer through the burden of his destiny and the events that followed. However, her hatred never became satiated, and she still wallowed in the loss of the life she once had. And suddenly, she had a plan. One that would be the ultimate revenge upon the FSM and grant her the life she so desired. In her eyes, the snake would continue to eat itself, and she was going to let that cycle destroy her grandson. He would be the key to her husband’s eternal punishment.

[avocado-frog]

Rereading earlier chapters and I cannot BELIEVE myself for almost making Jaxon the traitor lmao

[cringefailcabitha]

Have to wonder why people don’t generally refer to TT’s season 2 arc as a redemption arc but Cabby’s arc somehow is?

[rellasnowheenim]

THIS!! THIS IS WHY I FIND REYNOLD ACCEPTABLE AND LIKE HIS CHARACTER! He realizes his mistakes and FUCKING REFLECT ON IT!!!!

FUCKING SUCK IT DERRICK YOU FLAMING BAG OF SHIT!!!